As a surprise, a few years ago Bear called me on my birthday. We enjoyed a friendly and, of course, humorous conversation. A true gentleman.
We'll never get to play that one-on-one basketball game. I'll miss him and our good-natured ribbing of each other.

EDIT: From a PM he sent me years ago:

And even at (in August) age 60, your ass is grass on the roundball court.

This is sad news.

RIP Bear. Thank you so much for all your awesome posts and especially for the good advice while my wife was going through a bone marrow transplant much like you had done. Cyburbia will never be the same and hearing of his passing makes all my other problems right now seem so trivial.

This is just terrible news. I hoped to meet him when he traveled to Oregon to see his son, but that never happened. It is amazing how deeply one can be affected by losing someone you've never met. I will miss his wisdom and humor.

I've never met Bear nor have had any interactions with him on the forums, yet seeing this outpouring of condolences and support for his family I also feel saddened. He must have been a really good man. also wanted to say to consider donating to the American Cancer Society and similar charitable organizations

I've never met Bear nor have had any interactions with him on the forums, yet seeing this outpouring of condolences and support for his family I also feel saddened. He must have been a really good man. also wanted to say to consider donating to the American Cancer Society and similar charitable organizations

Has Bear's family named any specific organizations to which we can send memorial contributions? I haven't been able to find an obituary online.